Actuating arrangement for tandem devices



Aug 16, 1966 v, MANNlNGi 3,267,246

ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT FOR TANDEM DEVICES Filed March 235, 1964 INVENTOR. J fim? 7/. MANNING" United States Patent 3,267,246 ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT FOR TANDEM DEVICES Jeri-e V. Manning, Freeport, Ill., assignor to Honeywell Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 354,068 6 Claims. (Cl. 200-168) The present invention is directed to an actuating arrangement for use with a plurality of similar devices, and particularly switch devices, associated together in tandem whereby actuating means can cause selective operation of each device independently of others.

In some switch applications, it is desirable to simultaneously control a number of separate electrical circuits by means of a single actuating input. One way this can be accomplished is to associate in tandem separate switch devices so constructed that operation of the first switch device in the tandem arrangement causes operation of the next in line switch device and so on. Thus it has been common practice to associate switch devices of the general type described above in tandem to simultaneously control a number of separate electrical circuits as shown in FIGURE 5 of the Mullen et a1. Patent 3,018,338.

In other switch applications, it is desirable to selectively control a number of separate electrical circuits by means of a single actuating input. While this can be accomplished in a number of ways, it is often desirable that switch devices of the general type described above be capable of being arranged in tandem to provide such an arrangement. It is with such a switch actuating arrangement that the present invention is concerned.

As disclosed in the present invention, two switch devices of the general type described above, while associated in tandem, are separated one from the other so that the operation of the first switch in the tandem arrangement does not cause operation of the second switch device. Further, an auxiliary actuator is disposed proximate the first switch device so that one extremity thereof is proximate the operating plunger of the first switch device and the other extremity is proximate the operating plunger of the second switch device whereby actuating means asso ciated with the plunger of the first switch device and the auxiliary actuator can be moved selectively to operate the first and second switch devices, respectively. Of course, it will be appreciated that by properly constructing the actuating means, the switch devices could be operated simultaneously at one time and selectively at another.

While the above discussion has been with respect to switch devices which can be arranged in tandem so that operation of the first switch device in the tandem arrangement causes operation of the next adjacent switch, there are switch devices of this general type which are not constructed to be normally mounted in tandem, for example as shown in the Frank Patent 2,669,616. However, by utilizing the teachings of the present invention, switch devices of this character could be associated in tandem and the switch devices selectively operated. Of course the teachings of the present invention could be utilized with switch devices of the type shown in the forementioned Frank patent to provide simultaneous operation thereof. Further, by properly constructing the actuating means, the devices could be operated selectively at one time and simultaneously at another.

Such switch actuating arrangements as just described allow for space saving with a resultant cost saving insofar as panel mounting is concerned since more switch devices and electrical circuits can be simultaneously and/ or selectively controlled, as the case may be, than was previously possible. Further cost savings are realized since such switch actuating arrangements require but a single actuat- Patented August 16, 1965 ing input to operate the devices simultaneously and/ or selectively, as the case may be.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an actuating arrangement for separate devices associated in tandem which is capable of selectively and/ or simultaneously operating such devices.

This and other objects will become more apparent from a reading of the following specification and appended claims taken in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of an actuating arrangement, and particularly a switch actuating arrangement, utilizing the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is an assembly view of the switch actuating arrangement of FIGURE 1.

In the drawing, identical switch blocks or devices 10 and 11 each include a housing 12 formed of insulating material having two mounting ears 12a with openings 12b through which fasteners, not shown, can be disposed. Upper cover 14 and lower cover 16 also formed of insulating material are snap fastened or otherwise appropriately secured to each housing 12 so as to provide an enclosed casing and substantially flush surfaces between the outer surfaces of covers 14 and 16 and the upper and lower extremities of the mounting ears 12a. Each housing 12 and covers 14 and 16 cooperate to maintain fixed upper terminals 18 and fixed lower terminals 20 in place. Two identical operating plungers 22 formed of insulating material are appropriately guided in each of the housings 12 and include upper portions 22a which extend through openings 14a in upper covers 14 and therebeyond to the same extent to thereby allow for engagement by actuating means, for example, rotating cam member 23. Each plunger 22 carries in opening 22b a pair of movable bridging arms 24 and 25 formed of conductive material biased away from each other by spring 26 as is best shown with respect to upper switch device 10 of FIGURE 1. A return spring 28 is associated with each of the plungers 22 to normally bias plungers 22 outwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 1.

Upper terminals 18, lower terminals 20, and plungers 22 with bridging bars 24 and 25 cooperate to provide two switch mechanisms in each switch device. As shown with respect to upper switch device 10 of FIGURE 1, bridging bar 24 engages upper terminals 18 to provide a first electrical circuit. Upon inward movement of plunger 22, bridging bar 24 is disengaged from upper terminals 18 followed by engagement of bridging bar 25' with lower terminals 20 to provide a second electrical circuit.

Lower covers 16 each include openings 16151 which correspond to openings 14a of upper covers 14 .and are provided for reasons which will be given presently. Further, housings 12 each include a pair of openings 12c (and covers 14 and 16 include corresponding cutouts) disposed midway between plungers 22 and equidistant about a line connecting plungers 22, the function of which will be commented below.

Switch devices of the type just described can be associated together in tandem 'with the plungers 22 in line so that portions 22a of plungers 22 of lower switch device 11 extend through openings 16a of cover 16 and into housing 12 of upper switch device 10 whereby inward movement of a plunger of upper switch device 11) results in actuation of the plunger of the lower switch device 11 disposed therebelow. 'Ihus, referring to FIG- URE 1, lower extension 220 of plunger 22 of upper switch device 10 would engage portion 22a of plunger 22 of lower switch device 11 if the switch devices 10 and 11 were mounted in tandem. The plungers 22 are constructed so as to allow for a plunger of upper switch device 10 to move and to cause sufficient movement of the appropriate plunger of lower switch device 11 and there by operation of the corresponding switch mechanism in each switch device.

In the switch actuating arrangement of the present invention, a tubular spacer member 30 having mounting ears 30a with openings 30b through which fasteners, not shown, can be disposed is arranged to be located between switch devices and 11. Associated with tubular member 30 and switch devices 10 and 11 are a pair of auxiliary actuators or drivers 32 formed of insulating material and of generally L-shape. Actuators 32 include upright portions 32a which are arranged to be guided in cutouts 300 of tubular member 30 and openings 12c of housing 12 (and past corresponding cutouts of covers 14 and 16) of upper switch device 10. Actuators 32 also include portions 32b which extend beyond upper switch device 10 to substantially the same extent as portions 22a of plungers 22 of upper switch device 10 when switch devices 10 and 11, tubular member 30, and auxiliary actuators 32 are associated together as shown in FIG- URE 2. Leg portions 32c of auxiliary actuators 32 are arranged to be guided by ribs 30d of tubular member 30 and arranged to overlie the upper extremities of portions 22a of plungers 22 of lower switch device 11.

With switch devices 10 and 11, tubular member 30, and auxiliary actuators 32 associated together as shown in FIGURE 2, cam lobe 23a of rotating cam member 23 can be moved to selectively actuate plungers 22 of upper switch device 10 and auxiliary actuators 32 to selectively operate the switch mechanisms and electrical circuits of switch devices 10 and 11. This can be done in sequence in either direction. Further, rotating cam member 23 can be arranged to be moved outwardly so as not to engage either plungers 22 or auxiliary actuators 32 upon rotary movement of cam lobe 23a to a new position whereupon such rotary movement is followed by an inward movement which causes operation of the engaged plunger or the auxiliary actuator, as the case may be. Similarly, if rotating cam member 23 is so designed that cam lobe 23a can be selectively disposed between plungers 22 and auxiliary actuators 32, an inward movement of rotating cam member 23 would cause simultaneous actuation of plungers 22 and auxiliary actuators 32, thereby providing the same function which could result if switch devices 10 and 11 were mounted in tandem without tubular member 30 and auxiliary actuators 32. Other combinations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As was mentioned above, the switch actuating arrangement of the present invention can be applied to switch devices which normally are not suitable for mounting in tandem (for example, as shown in the forementioned Frank patent) and with such an arrangement the switch devices can then be operated selectively and simultaneously as desired.

While a particular switch actuating arrangement has been disclosed including a particular form of the auxiliary actuators and a particular manner of guiding the auxiliary actuators and a particular manner of spacing the switch devices, any number of modifications is possible as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined from a reading of the following claims in which I claim:

1. An actuating arrangement, the combination comprising: a first switch block and a second switch block each including a plurality of switch mechanisms therein each having an operating plunger associated therewith extending side by side and beyond said switch blocks to the same extent; said first switch block including a pair of openings disposed therethrough centrally between the plungers thereof and equally spaced on either side about a line connecting said plungers; said first switch block separated by a tubular spacer member from and located above said second switch block with the respective plungers in line and extending in the same direction; and said switch blocks and spacer member fastened together and associated with a pair of auxiliary L-shaped drivers the upright portions thereof disposed in the openings in said first switch block and extending therebeyond to the same extent as the plungers thereof and the leg portions there of disposed within the spacer member and overlying the plungers of said second switch block so that a rotating cam member associated with the plungers of said first switch block and said drivers can move each of the plungers of said first switch block and said drivers independently of the others to operate each of said switch mechanisms separately.

2. An actuating arrangement, the combination comprising: a first switch block and a second switch block each including a plurality of switch mechanisms therein each having an operating plunger associated therewith extending side by side and beyond said switch blocks to the same extent; said first switch block including a pair of openings disposed therethrough centrally between the plungers thereof and equally spaced on either side about a line connecting said plungers; said first switch block separated by a spacer means from and located above said second switch block with the respective plungers in line and extending in the same direction; and said switch blocks and spacer means fastened together and associated with a pair of auxiliary L-shaped drivers the upright portions thereof disposed in the openings in said first switch block and extending therebeyond to the same extent as the plungers thereof and the leg portions thereof disposed in the space between said switch blocks provided by said spacer means and overlying the plungers of said second switch block so that actuating means associated with the plungers of said first switch block and said drivers can move each of the plungers of said first switch block and said drivers independently of the others to operate each of said switch mechanisms separately.

3. An actuating arrangement, the combination comprising: a first switch block and a second switch block each including a plurality of switch mechanisms therein each having an operating plunger associated therewith extending side by side and beyond said switch blocks to the same extent; said first and second switch blocks fixedly positioned with respect to each other; said first switch block located above said second switch block with the respective plungers in line and extending in the same direction and with the plungers of said second switch block spaced from said first switch block; and a pair of auxiliary L- shaped drivers the upright portions thereof being guided by said first switch block for longitudinal movement with respect to and extending in the same direction and therebeyond to the same extent as the plungers thereof and the leg portions thereof being disposed in the space between said first switch block and the plungers of said second switch block and overlying the plungers of said second switch block so that actuating means associated with the plungers of said first switch block and said drivers can move each of said plungers and drivers independently of the others to operate each of said switch mechanisms separately.

4. An actuating arrangement, the combination comprising: a first switch block and a second switch block each including a switch mechanism therein having an operating plunger associated therewith extending beyond the respective switch block; said first and second switch blocks fixedly positioned with respect to each other; said first switch block located above said second switch block with the plungers in line and extending in the same direction and with the plunger of said second switch block spaced from said first switch block; and an auxiliary L-shaped driver disposed proximate said first and second switch block with the upright portion thereof being guided for longitudinal movement with respect to and extending in the same direction as the plunger of said first switch block and therebeyond to the same extent thereof and the leg portion thereof being disposed in the space between said first switch block and the plunger of said second switch block and overlying the plunger of said second switch block so that actuating means associated with the plunger of said first switch block and said driver can move the plunger of said first switch block and said driver independently of the other to operate each of said switch mechanisms separately.

5. An actuating arrangement, the combination comprising: a first switch block and a second switch block each including a switch mechanism therein having an operating plunger associated therewith extending beyond the respective switch block in the same direction; said first and second switch blocks fixedly positioned with respect to each other; said first switch block located above said second switch block with the plungers in line and with the plunger of said second switch block spaced from said first switch block; and with an auxiliary driver disposed proximate said first and second switch blocks and guided for movement with respect to and extending in the same direction as the plunger of said first switch block and therebeyond to the same extent as the plunger thereof and including a portion overlying the plunger of said second switch block so that actuating means associated with the plunger of said first switch block and said driver can se lectively move the plunger of said first switch block and said driver to operate said switch mechanisms.

6. An actuating arrangement, the combination comprising: a first device and a second device each including a means to be operated therein having an operating member associated therewith extending beyond the respective devices in the same direction; said first and second devices fixedly positioned with respect to each other; said first device located above said second device with the operating members in line and with the operating member of said second device spaced from said first device; and an auxiliary driver disposed proximate said first and second devices and guided for movement with respect to and extending in the same direction as the operating member of said first device and therebeyond to the same extent as the operating member thereof and including a portion overlying the operating member of said second device so that actuating means associated with the operating member of said first device and said driver can selectively move the operating member of said first device and said driver to operate the means of said first and second devices.

No references cited.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, ROBERT S. MACON,

J Examiners. H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A FIRST SWITCH BLOCK AND A SECOND SWITCH BLOCK EACH INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SWITCH MECHANISMS THEREIN EACH HAVING AN OPERATING PLUNGER ASSOCIATED THEREWITH EXTENDING SIDE BY SIDE AND BEYOND SAID SWITCH BLOCKS TO THE SAME EXTENT; SAID FIRST SWITCH BLOCK INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPENINGS DISPOSED THERETHROUGH CENTRALLY BETWEEN THE PLUNGERS THEREOF AND EQUALLY SPACED ON EITHER SIDE ABOUT A LINE CONNECTING SAID PLUNGERS; SAID FIRST SWITCH BLOCK SEPARATED BY A TUBULAR SPACER MEMBER FROM AND LOCATED ABOVE SAID SECOND SWITCH BLOCK WITH THE RESPECTIVE PLUNGERS IN LINE AND EXTENDING IN THE SAME DIRECTION; AND SAID SWITCH BLOCKS AND SPACER MEMBER FASTENED TOGETHER AND ASSOCIATED WITH A PAIR OF AUXILIARY L-SHAPED DRIVERS THE UPRIGHT PORTIONS THEREOF DISPOSED IN THE OPENINGS IN SAID FIRST SWITCH BLOCK AND EXTENDING THEREBEYOND TO THE SAME EXTENT AS THE PLUNGERS THEREOF AND THE LEG PORTIONS THEREOF DISPOSED WITHIN THE SPACER MEMBER AND OVERLYING THE PLUNGERS OF SAID SECOND SWITCH BLOCK SO TAHT A ROTATING CAM MEMBER ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLUNGERS OF SAID FIRST SWITCH BLOCK AND SAID DRIVERS CAN MOVE EACH OF THE PLUNGERS OF SAID FIRST SWITCH BLOCK AND SAID DRIVERS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHERS TO OPERATE EACH OF SAID SWITCH MECHANISM SEPARATELY. 